Category: Orlando Real Estate

Looking for foreclosure homes in Orlando? You’re not alone. Buying foreclosure homes has been a very popular activity in the Orlando area for several years now. Many factors have contributed to this: banks wanting to quickly divest themselves of their large inventory of homes, investors looking for fixer-uppers, and home buyers who just think that this is where they can find a bargain.

Foreclosure homes in Orlando can still be a bargain. But many of these homes are being gobbled up fast by investors. Keep in mind that many foreclosure homes are not in great condition. Some home owners in foreclosure proceedings fail to take proper care of their homes prior to leaving, some intentionally try to get revenge on the bank by destroying parts of the house, and many banks fail to properly take care of a home once they are in possession of it (banks are not in the business of maintaining homes!).

So be weary of the “too good to be true” foreclosure homes with ridiculously low prices. If you do see one that you like, be sure to talk to a qualified real estate agent who can assist you in asking questions. And we always recommend hiring a home inspector to go through the home before you make an offer to see what really needs to be done to bring the home back to where you want it. Some defects will be obvious to you. However, other defects in foreclosure homes will not be so easy to detect.

The bottom line is that many Orlando foreclosure homes can be a great bargain – while others will not be. Make sure you hire the right people to help you answer all the questions. For a full list of all Orlando foreclosure homes listed for sale visit us at YourOrlandoRealty.com or give us a call at 407-864-2551.

Orlando and Central Florida have some of the most beautiful, upscale luxury homes in the entire country. These glamorous and elegant estates abound throughout the Central Florida area. With so many luxury homes in Central Florida to choose from, it can be difficult knowing where to start. Unlike many cities that have luxury homes in just one or two parts of town, luxury homes in Orlando and Central Florida can seemingly be found in every community – from Lake Mary to Winter Park to Windermere to Lake Nona to Dr. Phillips to Celebration to Downtown Orlando.

And these beautiful Central Florida luxury homes come in many different types and settings – golf course, waterfront, gated, un-gated, custom, semi-custom, mediterranean, colonial, and more. Many luxury homes can be found in the quiet corners of Central Florida with very little attention ever given to them. Other luxury homes in Central Florida can be found in world-renown neighborhoods with famous celebrities and athletes counted among their residents. In fact, the Central Florida neighborhoods of Isleworth and Lake Nona are considered by many to be among the most revered luxury home communities in the entire world.

Whatever type of luxury homes you are seeking in Central Florida, you need to start with a good website search engine and a good Central Florida area real estate agent. The powerful search engine at YourOrlandoRealty.com can be customized to aid your search to the specific features and locations you desire. Once you get an idea as to what’s available, our knowledgeable real estate agents can help you from there. Not only are the real estate agents at YourOrlandoRealty.com  knowledgeable about the luxury homes of Central Florida, but we also have a licensed Florida attorney ready to walk with you through the process. Buying an Orlando area luxury home can be a complicated legal transaction and closing – make sure you are being advised by competent professionals.

For more information on luxury homes in Central Florida please contact us today.

Since the housing market bubble burst, investors have been scrambling to scoop up as many low-priced foreclosure homes as possible. Indeed, there are many advantages to buying a foreclosed property – but there are many disadvantages, too. Instead of putting all of their eggs in one basket, savvy investors should investigate the possibility of buying short sales. Short sales bring many distinct advantages to the table that foreclosures simply do not. The pros include attractive selling prices, better conditions, access to information about the home, and a quicker overall process are some of the chief benefits of buying a short sale.

Competitive Price

Although it is not always the case, many short sales come along with competitive low price tags. Since the bank is already agreeing to take a loss on the home, the asking price is usually far below market value. Without a doubt, competitive prices are the most-cited reasons for investors to look into short sales. The less money that you have to part with from the get-go, the higher your profitability is likely to be. By becoming well-versed in how the short sale process works, investors can make some very good deals on such transactions.

Better Condition

Investors who have purchased many foreclosures in the past are all too familiar with the mess that is often left behind with such properties. Disgruntled home owners often trash their homes before banks officially take possession of them. In turn, investors must spend considerable amounts of time and money on repairs in order to make such properties marketable. Since home owners are involved in the short sale process themselves, the odds that they will ransack their own home is much lower. Instead of having to move out in an unhappy hurry, sellers usually stick around to see the process through – and they keep their homes in much better shape!

More Information

Buying a foreclosed home from a bank often leaves a lot of blank spaces for investors to face. After all, the bank hasn’t been living in the house – it was merely supplying the financing for it. There is no personal connection there, so the investor cannot get information about the home’s unique history. With a short sale, though, an investor can usually still pick the brains of the seller in order to find out less tangible, but still vital, information about the house.

Less Negotiation

When a bank tries to market a foreclosure, it still has the tendency to haggle back and forth with potential buyers. After all, the foreclosure process has cost the bank a lot of money that it would like to recoup. During the short sale process, most of the heavy-hitting negotiating occurs before the investor even enters the picture. The bank and the seller come to an agreement about what the property’s asking price will be. While this may leave less “wiggle room” for an investor, it also spares him the sometimes arduous experience of going through a long, drawn-out negotiation phase.

Investors Can Benefit from the Short Sale Process

Although the advantages and benefits of a short sale may not be readily apparent to an investor, the truth is that they are very real. It is important to bear in mind, though, that not all short sales bring these benefits to the table. Investors should take their time while investigating short sales in their local areas in order to find the ones that have the most reasonable terms. Finding a short sale that will allow for exceptional profitability is perfectly possible. Investors simply need to do a little homework before delving into the process. This homework should start with finding a qualified real estate agent to walk you through the process.

To view short sales in the Orlando area currently on the market, please visit www.YourOrlandoRealty.com. Or, for more information on the benefits of short sales, please contact us today for more information.

As a real estate agent, picking a real estate brokerage company to associate with is a very important and difficult decision.  Whether you are a new agent just getting started in the business or an established agent looking to make a change, you are probably faced with the same challenges and decisions. When looking for a broker to partner and associate with, it is natural for real estate agents to be thinking “what’s in it for me in this potential relationship?”

La Rosa Realty of Celebration, Florida, is an experienced real estate brokerage that understands what it takes for an agent to be successful. Adapting to an ever changing real estate market place has much to do with the success of most agents. Change is not always an option, but at times, change is a necessity. For many reasons, we believe that La Rosa Realty is the best realty company in Central Florida.

La Rosa Realty is not just another so called 100% commission real estate office, providing little or no services with ultimately higher costs. On the contrary, it is more than commission plans that attract agents to the company. La Rosa agents receive the most efficient software technology in the industry. In addition, its agents receive ongoing training by one of the most respected real estate coaches in the industry, David Knox. Last but not least, you will receive support from your broker live and in person. He’s an email or phone call away.

Looking for a home or real estate for sale in Orlando or the Central Florida area? You’re not alone. Orlando real estate sales are now picking up again and the buyers are coming back. It is still considered a buyers market, with the low prices, good inventory and low mortgage rates. But the better homes are not staying on the market for long.

The positive upswing in the Orlando real estate sales market is a good indicator that things are starting to get back to “normal” in Orlando. If you are interested in buying a home or real estate in Orlando, then now is the time. Searching for Orlando real estate sales, like in any other market, can be enjoyable, yet confusing. For this reason, we have tried to make the real estate sales search as friendly as possible.

It all starts with our powerful MLS search engine at YourOrlandoRealty.com. You have the choice of plugging in the parameters you seek, or you can just take a look at a map of your preferred neighborhood to see what is currently available. Either way, you are going to find homes that appeal to you. Or, if you prefer, we can conduct your Orlando real estate sales search for you. Once we have narrowed down your search, we can provide you with more details on the homes, as well as assist you on the real estate purchase and closing process.

Once we have identified some homes that interest you, then the real work starts. Because it is a buyers market, most prospective buyers believe that they can buy a great home for pennies on the dollar. That’s not always the case. Although prices are low, the best homes still sell pretty quickly and demand good prices. As you navigate the Orlando real estate sales market, you will see that many of the homes and properties are currently in foreclosure or are being offered through short sales. Many of the foreclosure and short sale homes are not in very good condition. Many homeowners who were forced to move out because of a foreclosure have stripped the home of all appliances and some homeowners have even intentionally destroyed parts of the homes out of spite to their lenders – leaving many foreclosure homes in bad shape. And many short sale homes have incurred the same fate if the owner has already moved out. If you are an investor looking for a fixer-upper this may not be a problem.

That doesn’t mean, though, that there are not bargains to be had in the Orlando real estate sales market for those seeking a move-in-ready house. And not all foreclosures and short sales are inferior homes. If you can find a good real estate agent to guide you through your home search and the Orlando real estate sales market, you will be one giant step ahead of the game. Our real estate agents at YourOrlandoRealty.com are very knowledgeable and can help you to weed through the myriad that is the Orlando real estate sales market.

The best real estate agent for one trying to sell a home is simply the real estate agent who can sell the home the quickest, at the best price, and with the smoothest transaction. And the best real estate agent for one trying to buy a home is the real estate agent who can assist you to buy the home at the lowest price and with the smoothest transaction.

All real estate agents are not the same. The best real estate agents have the skills, negotiating experience and professional plans to put you in the position you want to be. Buying a home or real estate is not as simple as it looks. The process can be very complicated behind the scenes. Legal issues also frequently crop up that slow down or hinder your transaction.

For this reason, we always recommend that your real estate agent be well versed in the real estate laws of the state of Florida. Better yet, why not choose a real estate agent who is also a licensed attorney at law? YourOrlandoRealty.com provides an experienced team of real estate and legal professionals to walk you through the entire transaction – whether you are buying or selling. So please give us a call today to see how we can assist you.

It is very easy to search for homes for sale in Orlando. There are many homes for sale in Orlando at any given point of time. So whether you are looking for a single family home for sale, a condo for sale, a town home for sale, a waterfront home for sale, a short sale home or a foreclosure home for sale, Orlando has it all. However, you need to keep three things in mind if you are searching for a home for sale that meets your exact needs – the location where you want to reside, the home budget that you can afford, and the detailed home features.

In Orlando, the location is the main factor that determines the price of a home for sale. It also represents whether or not you will be satisfied with a particular home. Staying within your home budget, you need to focus on the locations of Orlando and neighborhoods where you prefer to live. You also have to consider the fact that you might not find the home that satisfies your exact requirements. As a rule of thumb, if your search for an Orlando home for sale results in you finding a home that meets 90% of your requirements, then this may be the house for you. It is very unusual for a prospective home buyer to find a home for sale that meets 100% of their requirements.

As you may know from the countless articles and stories in the news, Orlando and Central Florida are a buyers market for homes right now. However, this doesn’t mean that every home you like will be available to you under your terms. The good houses are still selling fast. So we recommend that anyone who is serious about buying a home in Orlando be ready and prepared to make an offer once their “dream home” is found.

If you are searching for homes for sale in Orlando and the Central Florida area, or just want to know how to get started with your search for homes for sale, it is a very easy and private process.   Your first step will be to go to YourOrlandoRealty.com and enter our search engine for homes for sale. This search engine includes the full Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and includes every home and real estate listed for sale in Orlando and Central Florida. You can include any number of parameters and requirements you desire – from location to number of bedrooms to square feet to price and so on. As you are looking through the various homes for sale in Orlando and Central Florida, you will have the opportunity to save the homes you have viewed in a file so that you can return at a later time to review.

Once you have an idea as to the types of homes that appeal to you, you can contact us by phone or email and we will be happy to provide further information regarding those and other homes. All communications with YourOrlandoRealty.com is confidential and without obligation. We will simply answer your questions regarding homes for sale in Orlando and Central Florida. If you are in the market for a home for sale in Orlando, then please contact us today and tell us how we can help.

Moving to a new home can be a real challenge at times, and certainly can create stress. But it doesn’t have to. With a little planning, you can make your move an easy and enjoyable experience. Whether you are moving across town or out of state, these planning tips can help you with your move.

1.  Decide if you will hire a mover or do it yourself. You probably will want to hire a mover if you have a lot of heavy items, you’re not physically healthy, you’re traveling a long distance, your employer is paying for the move or you can’t find enough help from friends and family.

2.  Send change-of-address forms to everyone, friends, family and businesses that you deal with, as soon as you know your new address. Close out any accounts you won’t need after your move, such as library cards and club memberships.

3.  Find out the utility providers at your new address. This includes your electric, telephone, water, cable and internet service.

4.  Get rid of some of your possessions–moving is a great opportunity to unload unneeded stuff.

5.  Empty the refrigerator before you move. Eat what you can, determine what you can take with you, and give the rest away if you can. Unplug the refrigerator and leave the doors open overnight so the moisture can evaporate.

Doing it yourself?

6.  Pack one room at a time, starting with the rooms you use the least, such as spare bedrooms. Use small, sturdy boxes for heavy items such as books, tools and kitchen stuff. If the contents are fragile or must stay upright, make a note of this on the box. On each box write the room the items belong to and brief description of its contents. Put the boxes in a garage or family room.

7.  Close the drawers and doors on your furniture with blue painters tape to help prevent damage to the finish.

8.  Load the truck carefully. Use as much vertical space as you can. Stand sofas on their ends, load mattresses and box springs so their long sides are vertical, and stand up armoires and tall dressers. Put tall items along the sides of the truck.

9.  Keep all important boxes and valuables in the trunk of your car, not in the moving truck.

10.  Upon arrival, bring in all the important boxes and valuables first, especially if you are not able to unload everything that day.

Hiring a mover?

11.  Call several moving companies to get prices. Make sure they’re bonded, licensed and insured. Choose a company with excellent customer service. Be aware of any conditions that will trigger additional costs, such as moves over a certain mileage or goods over a certain weight. Check into any special deals the company offers.

12.  Understand how packing options affect the price. For example, if you pack certain goods yourself, can you save some money? Or pack everything yourself with portable containers that are delivered to your home. You pack them, and the company transports them to your new home.

13.  Discuss any considerations unique to your move with the moving company. Point out any large or fragile items, and ask how they will be handled. Point out issues that affect access, such as staircases, steep driveways or small attics, and be prepared to pay more for complicated moves.

14.  Get a signed contract that includes price, pick-up and delivery dates, packing services and mileage, plus policies regarding payment, insurance and claims. Make sure the contract has a customer service number on it that you can call with any problems or questions.

For more moving tips, please contact us today or visit us at www.YourOrlandoRealty.com.

Short sales are becoming even more common due to the huge increase in the number of foreclosures which are having an effect on home values across the nation. Due to the current sub-prime and anticipation of the more ARM resets, many people are considering short sales but are not clear on the short sale process and how it works.

A short sale is a process which allows the home owner to sell the home for less than what is owed on the mortgage loan and allows the seller to avoid having their credit score hit with a foreclosure penalty. Although there is still a penalty given for short sales, the time to buy a home is shortened with a short sale versus a foreclosure home. A foreclosure can stay on your credit report for up to 10 years while a short sale can range 3 to 5 years.

The Short Sale Process for Buyers

1. Hire a real estate agent to protect your best interests, especially when dealing with short sales.
2. Search for short sale properties. Your real estate agent can assist you with this process.
3. Make an offer on a short sale property and include a short sale addendum which allows you to back out prior to and after a lender has sent written approval of the short sale. This way you can continue looking at homes if the short sale is taking too long or you can back out at any time if something better comes onto the the MLS. Having a real estate agent that is a also a licensed attorney can greatly benefit you in this process.
4. Make escrow to start AFTER the lender has submitted written approval to your real estate agent before getting your earnest money tied up in possibly many months into a limbo account.
5. Get an appraisal and home inspection AFTER the lender has approved your offer.

Tips

• Many short sales fail because the mortgage company is unfamiliar with the local market. Don’t expect a quick answer as they research the comparable home sales.
• The lender may request the real estate agents to reduce their commissions to minimize costs.
• The lender may demand the seller to sign a promissory note to pay back the short sale. If the seller refuses, it may sour the deal.
• The mortgage company does not want to own the property, that’s the last thing they want to do.
• Make sure to include an escape provision if the short sale process takes longer than you want or a better property comes along.

More more detailed information on the short sale process, or to speak with one of our Reator/Attorneys, please contact us today or visit www.YourOrlandoRealty.com.

Are you looking for a home for sale in Orlando, Florida, or the Central Florida area? If so, then your search should start with a qualified Orlando real estate agent.

Buyers of homes often ask why they should even have a real estate agent working for them. There are several reasons. First, there is no cost to a buyer of a home to have a real estate agent representing them. The buyer pays nothing. The seller is the one who pays for all real estate commissions, both buyer and seller! If the buyer purchases a home, then the seller pays for the buyer’s agent commission. And if the prospective buyer never purchases anything, then there still is no cost to the prospective buyer. In essence, it’s like receiving free professional services.

Second, a real estate agent is skilled in the art of real estate negotiations and will likely be able to negotiate a lower sale price for the home. Additionally, an Orlando real estate agent has special knowledge of the Orlando and Central Florida real estate market and is positioned to advise the buyer of facts and laws that the buyer may not otherwise see.

Sellers of homes also frequently ask why they should hire a real estate agent to assist them with selling their Orlando home. Many believe that they can sell the home themselves and save on real estate agent commissions. What they are really trying to accomplish is to put as much money in their pockets at the completion of the sale.

However, without the aid of an Orlando real estate agent, it is much more difficult to sell the home. And the time it takes to do so could be excruciating. A skilled Orlando real estate agent will have the knowledge and tools to market the home for sale to more people in the best way possible. From MLS listings, websites, open houses, printed ads other real estate agent networking, etc., the Orlando real estate agent is much better suited to sell the home quicker and easier. Also, the agent typically will get a higher sale price for the home, more than enough to make up for any sales commissions spent. So, if the bottom line to a seller of a home is to put as much money in his or her pocket as possible, in the shortest time possible, the that seller will want to hire an Orlando real estate agent.

There are many real estate agents in Orlando and the Central Florida area. Given this large volume, it can be difficult choosing the right Orlando real estate agent for you. We at YourOrlandoRealty.com are proud to call ourselves Orlando’s premier real estate and legal team. Not only do we have skilled real estate agents to assist you in buying or selling your Orlando area home, but we also have a licensed attorney at law to help guide you through the process and to answer any real estate questions you may have – at no additional cost.

If you are ready to buy or sell a home in Orlando or Central Florida, please contact us – your Orlando real estate agent.